A very kind reviewer suggested that I should not tie my narrative to the Marvel Universe, that I had created a completely new AU and in many ways she is right. However, I do not have the time ( maybe one day) to write a whole new story, so my story continues to be tied into the existing universe.

Thank you everyone for reviewing, you are very encouraging and are still enjoying the narrative so I will continue.

Salutations- hope you are all safe and well.

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''Morguna, Morgan H Stark , want some lunch?'' Tony perched on a tiny chair at the entrance to the playhouse.

''Define lunch or be disintegrated,'' Morgan emerged with an Iron Man helmet on and holding her hand up in attack mode.

Tony stifled his amused chuckle as he pulled her to him.

''You should not be wearing that. Pops would not be happy. Come on, crickets on a bed of lettuce for you,'' he picked her up sweeping back long bangs of dark hair as he took off the helmet.

''Where is Pops? He said he would bake with me today,'' Morgan complained as she wriggled; she was a wriggler- full of nervous energy- yet another thing she shared with her lost brother.

''Here he is,'' Tony turned as a car drew up.

Steve emerged, followed by Natasha and a stranger; Tony frowned- an uneasy feeling in his stomach.

He let Morgan down who ran to her father, throwing her arms around his waist.

''Pops! Pops! Save me! Daddy is making me eat crickets for lunch,'' she giggled as he swept her up.

''Is he hunnybun? Well, I'm here now, so no crickets. How about a grilled cheese sandwich?'' he tapped her nose and she chuckled.

''Hey Aunt Nat,'' she waved and Natasha swallowed back the pain she always felt when she was called that and smiled brightly.

''Hey baby, you look beautiful today.''

''Thank you,'' she remembered her manners, then instantly forgot them.

''Who are you? Do you want some crickets?'' Morgan stared at Scott who laughed.

''Hey young lady, don't be rude!'' Steve tapped her leg and she pouted at him, big brown eyes shining and Steve felt the familiar stab of pain- she was so like their lost boy; his female double. It was a blessing but also a curse in equal measure.

They had never revealed that Morgan was genetically Tony's daughter, born via a surrogate but it was becoming more obvious every day.

They made several attempts to implant Steve's embryos; they all ended in miscarriage- Dr Cho explaining that his enhanced status meant that it was impossible for a normal woman to carry a biological child of his to term.

So they had implanted two of Tony's embryos, one of which went full term- Morgan. Steve felt no bitterness; Morgan was his daughter as much as Tony's- just as Peter was his son.

''Hey babe,'' Steve kissed Tony's cheek, he smiled reassuringly.

''I brought visitors,'' Steve saw the suspicion in Tony's eyes.

''So I see. Nat, how are you doing?'' Tony hugged her and then looked hard at Scott, who shifted nervously under such intense scrutiny.

''How about I get some iced coffee and you guys relax on the porch? Lunch can wait; come on Morgs, you can help me!'' Steve was overly cheerful which only deepened Tony's suspicion.

''Can I have maple syrup with my sandwich please?'' the little girl skipped happily after him.

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''It's too risky Steve, it just is,'' Tony was insistent as he repeated himself yet again. They had been arguing back and forth for the best part of an hour.

They were on the porch, enjoying the warm, balmy evening.

''We have an opening Tony, we could bring him back,'' Steve couldn't hide his hope.

''Do you want to risk our second chance?'' Tony indicated the sleeping child in his arms.

Steve fell back in his chair- what could he say to that? Tony was asking him to choose between his children.

''I can't Steve, I just can't. I won't roll the dice on our lives, on our children's lives. I can't believe you want to,'' Tony was brusque- irritated that Steve would not accept his negative answer.

''I still feel him don't you?'' Steve was not above dirty tricks.

''That was a cheap blow. I am going to put our daughter to bed, our living, breathing daughter. Shame on you,'' Tony stood abruptly and went into the house, slamming the door behind him.

He stifled back tears as he carried Morgan upstairs, of course he wanted his son back-but the life they now enjoyed was the result of a long, hard road; he just could not risk their current happiness for a long shot, a very long shot that was very likely to fail.

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Harley rang home that night and Tony spent a long time speaking to him; they talked Quantum Physics and by the time Tony hung up, mild inspiration had taken hold- he felt compelled to check it out.

He went to the garage, also known as his lab- he emerged several hours later, his face drawn and tense.

''What are you reading?'' Tony asked as he sat down beside Steve who looked up in surprise.

''Sorry, I shouldn't have said that,'' the super soldier apologised as he put his book down.

Tony stared intensely at him and Steve became increasingly unsettled by his silence. Then, Tony wiped his hands over his face and sighed.

''Yeah well, here's the thing. Maybe you should have,'' Tony was elusive and Steve frowned.

''Hmmm, why?''

''I solved it,'' Tony was blunt and it wasn't exactly enlightening.

''You solved what?''

''I solved it, time travel. So I guess we should pack, skedaddle to the compound and you're gonna need to call Pepper so she can take care of Morgan. Oh and we need to gather the team. Come on Cap, up and at 'em, your shield's in the trunk,'' Tony kissed his cheek and galloped up the stairs.

''Right okay, my shield's in the trunk,'' Steve was stunned.

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''Daddy!'' Tony stared in disbelief as his lost boy stood in front of him; vibrating with energy and seemingly very much alive.

Peter held out his hand and Tony grasped it, it was warm, his hand was warm!

He felt himself pulled to his feet as he struggled to make sense of what was happening.

''So you know when we were in space, which was totally awesome! I got all dusty and must have passed out because when I woke up, you were gone. Had some seriously weird dreams but whatever. Anyways, Doctor Strange was there right and he was all it's been five years and they need us. Then he started doing that yellow sparkling thing,'' Peter was hyper with excitement as he threw his arms around in a circular motion.

Instinctively Tony pulled him into his arms; relishing the feel of his wriggling body against him.

''Ssssh Smalls ssshh '' he said softly as he stroked his head to calm his boy just as he had done when he was a baby; he felt Peter instantly relax, melting into his arms.

''Hey daddy,'' Peter murmured and Tony closed his eyes as a range of emotions overwhelmed him- love; intense, protective love the strongest.

''Missed you kiddo,'' he whispered and Peter pulled away; his eyes full of confusion.

''Why? I have been right here,'' he said and Tony looked to the sky. Steve said that he felt him and now he understood; Peter had not been lost forever, just misplaced in time.

At that moment Tony thought of Natasha; she had made the ultimate sacrifice for this child but she would never hold him in her arms ever again. It was a tragedy of the highest order. He had to hope, believe, that she was watching from above and knew that her dearest wish had been fulfilled.

''I know baby, but it has been longer for us,'' Tony placed his hand on his cheek; then there was an explosion and Peter was blown away from him.

Tony battled to his last breath, his son was returned and he was not losing the chance to reconcile his family- for them to be complete once more- his heart's desire.

Then the moment came; they had all tried and were thrown asunder but now it was just Tony and Thanos.

Tony did not think twice, as much as he longed to reunite his family- the compulsion to protect them was more powerful, so he willingly made the ultimate sacrifice just as Natasha had; a happy, smiling image of his husband and children at the beach flashed before his eyes- he felt no fear just love, pure unadulterated love- only love.

''And I am Iron Man!'' he clicked: a white light, intense pain then it went black.

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Wow, intense I know.

Review, suggestions- all gratefully received.

Stay safe xxx